Scottish Executive

Air Services

Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has received about when the Regional Air Services Co-ordination Study will be published.

Lewis Macdonald: I understand from the Department for Transport that the Regional Air Services Co-ordination Study will be published shortly.

Airports

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the additional funds for Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd under its spending plans for 2003-06 are dependent on any other criteria being met and, if so, whether it will detail such criteria.

Lewis Macdonald: As with all publicly funded bodies, the additional funding for Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd will be dependent on the company meeting its corporate targets.

Airports

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the additional funds for Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd under its spending plans for 2003-06 will be used to attract further flights by low cost carriers to Inverness Airport.

Lewis Macdonald: The additional funding to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd, which was recently announced in the Spending Review settlement, will allow the company to operate 10 airports in the Highlands and Islands, and keep airport charges at a level that will encourage the further development of air services including those operated by no frills carriers.

Alcohol

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in developing services for women suffering from alcohol dependency.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: The Executive’s Plan for Action on alcohol problems , which was published in January, sets out that alcohol problems services should be sensitive to the needs of particular groups including women. The Executive published an Alcohol Problems Support and Treatment Services Framework on 5 September, which identifies women as one of the groups who might need support to access services.

  The Health Education Board for Scotland, Alcohol Focus Scotland and the Scottish Association of Alcohol Action Teams are currently establishing a women and alcohol network. The network will provide a vehicle for the development and dissemination of good practice in working with women.

Anti-Social Behaviour

Mr John Home Robertson (East Lothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it is supporting schemes that reduce the risk of re-offending and anti-social behaviour in children.

Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive takes these issues very seriously.

  Between 2000 and 2003-04, we invested £25.5 million in programmes to reduce offending and anti-social behaviour among children and young people. In June, we announced £15 million end-year funding to support the Executive’s 10-point plan to tackle youth crime. The Scottish budget will increase the amount of new money available to reduce youth crime by £33 million a year by 2005-06.

Common Agricultural Policy

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the number of recipients receiving public subsidy under Common Agricultural Policy schemes shown in bands of under £10,000, between (a) £10,001 and £20,000, (b) £20,001 and £30,000 (c) £30,001 and £40,000, (d) £40,001 and £50,000 and (e) over £50,001 and £100,000 and of over £100,000 per year in (i) 1998-99, (ii) 1999-2000, (iii) 2000-01 and (iv) 2001-02.

Ross Finnie: The number of recipients receiving public subsidy under the main Common Agricultural Policy schemes according to the following bands for the 1998 to 2002 financial years are as follows:

  


Financial Year 
  

Range 
  

No. of Producers 
  



1998-99 
  

£0 - £10,000 
  

13,421 
  



£10,001 - £20,000 
  

3,367 
  



£20,001 - £30,000 
  

2,204 
  



£30.001 - £40,000 
  

1,384 
  



£40,001 - £50,000 
  

863 
  



£50,001 - £100,000 
  

1,413 
  



£100,001 over 
  

324 
  



1999-2000 
  

£0 - £10,000 
  

12,693 
  



£10,001 - £20,000 
  

3,326 
  



£20,001 - £30,000 
  

2,096 
  



£30.001 - £40,000 
  

1,310 
  



£40,001 - £50,000 
  

899 
  



£50,001 - £100,000 
  

1,533 
  



£100,001 over 
  

384 
  



2000-01 
  

£0 - £10,000 
  

12,890 
  



£10,001 - £20,000 
  

3,230 
  



£20,001 - £30,000 
  

2,115 
  



£30.001 - £40,000 
  

1,407 
  



£40,001 - £50,000 
  

864 
  



£50,001 - £100,000 
  

1,573 
  



£100,001 over 
  

385 
  



2001–02 
  

£0 - £10,000 
  

13,420 
  



£10,001 - £20,000 
  

3,084 
  



£20,001 - £30,000 
  

2,024 
  



£30.001 - £40,000 
  

1,373 
  



£40,001 - £50,000 
  

925 
  



£50,001 - £100,000 
  

1,680 
  



£100,001 over 
  

432

Community Orders

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many and what percentage of community orders were breached in each of the last three years, broken down by local authority area.

Dr Richard Simpson: Information on Scottish totals for community orders and breaches for 1999-2000 and 2000-01 is available in the statistical bulletin Criminal Justice Social Work Statistics, 2000-01 (available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00125-00.asp).   Because of the incomplete nature of the data from local authorities, it is not possible to provide a reliable further breakdown.

Concessionary Travel

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the take-up rate has been for the new concessionary bus fares scheme.

Lewis Macdonald: Free local off-peak bus travel for elderly and disabled people has been delivered through enhancements to the 16 existing concessionary fares schemes operated by local authorities in Scotland.

  A research project has been commissioned by the Scottish Executive to monitor travel behaviour both before and after the enhancements came into force in order to measure their impact.

Courts

Ian Jenkins (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in identifying ways to continue to deliver court services locally in Peebles and when it plans to issue the consultation paper on the future of Peebles Sheriff Court.

Mr Jim Wallace: Scottish ministers gave a commitment to examine carefully the potential to deliver court services at an alternative venue in Peebles if one could be found which met the needs of the court.

  In line with that commitment the Scottish Court Service (SCS) has met with officials of Scottish Borders Council to examine the scope for using the council buildings at Rosetta Road, Peebles for both district court and sheriff court business.

  These discussions are still at an early stage and a number of practical issues need to be resolved. However, with the continued co-operation of Scottish Borders Council, I am satisfied that the potential exists to achieve an outcome, which meets the desire of the local community to retain a court in Peebles.

  I have therefore asked the SCS to delay issuing a consultation paper until those discussions are concluded.

  In the meantime, the SCS will make available the consultants’ report on the existing Peebles Sheriff Courthouse. The SCS remain of the view that it is not feasible to adapt the existing building to the standards required by modern court practice. I have asked the SCS to pay careful regard to the historical and architectural importance of the current sheriff court building in the context of Peebles High Street in any arrangements which may be considered for its disposal and future use.

Domestic Abuse

Kate Maclean (Dundee West) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what information is available in British Sign Language for deaf and deafened victims of domestic abuse.

Kate Maclean (Dundee West) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what information is available in Braille for blind and visually-impaired victims of domestic abuse.

Kate Maclean (Dundee West) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what information is available in an accessible form for deafblind victims of domestic abuse.

Ms Margaret Curran: The information requested is not held centrally.

Domestic Abuse

Kate Maclean (Dundee West) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been made available to help blind and visually-impaired victims of domestic abuse in each year since 1999-2000.

Ms Margaret Curran: In the year 2000, the Scottish Executive provided just under £500,000 to local women's aid groups to improve access to refuges and offices by the disabled. One group received £700 to produce publicity materials in braille.

Education

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the McCrone settlement has benefited schools in rural areas.

Cathy Jamieson: Successful implementation of the agreement A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century will provide greater flexibility, autonomy and diversity to deliver local solutions, helping to modernise school education throughout Scotland.

  The agreement recognises and rewards the professionalism teachers bring to the classroom and, by improving administrative practices and providing increased numbers of support staff, ensures they have more time to teach.

  The implementation of the agreement is on track and making good progress towards full implementation in 2006.

Enterprise

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to attract, support and retain quality, high-skill call centre enterprises.

Iain Gray: We continue to work through Scottish Development International to promote Scotland as a quality location for value-added, high-skill call centres, emphasising our educational strengths, providing support and assistance with identifying locations and training, and offering financial support where appropriate. Financial services and telecommunications are priority areas for Scottish Development International and are being actively targeted in key overseas markets.

Enterprise

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-28938 by Iain Gray on 16 September 2002, whether sub-postmasters or their representatives can bid for the loan guarantees strand of funding from the Phoenix Fund; what funding has been made available for assisting sub-postmasters in each of the last three years; whether any other funding will be ring-fenced for this purpose, and, if so, how much.

Iain Gray: The loan guarantee element of the Phoenix Fund is not available to individual businesses or social organisations. This strand is accessible only to UK based non-profit Community Development Finance Initiatives.

  Consignia, post offices and postal services are reserved matters and direct assistance would be for the Department of Trade and Industry to consider.

Enterprise

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to introduce a scheme similar to the Business Insight Initiative funded by the Department of Trade and Industry and sponsored by Yorkshire Forward to provide small- and medium-sized businesses with free enhanced satellite broadband connection for 12 months, and what the reasons are for the position on this matter.

Iain Gray: There is already a comparable one-year pilot managed by our Enterprise Networks which is currently operating across the Highlands and Islands and in three Scottish Enterprise LEC areas. The Yorkshire initiative and the Scottish scheme share the objective of assessing the business benefits of satellite broadband.

Environment

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review the procedures for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency issuing pollution prevention and control licences.

Allan Wilson: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is continuously developing its procedures and decision-making processes in relation to issuing pollution prevention and control permits. SEPA is currently reviewing particular aspects of the application and determination process to ensure that no undue regulatory burdens are imposed on industry, whilst ensuring that permits continue to protect the environment. The Scottish Executive will consider whether any changes to SEPA’s procedures, or to the relevant legislation, are necessary once the agency has completed its review. Following an extensive consultation, and in the light of experience since the regulations were first introduced two years ago, the Executive plans to introduce a number of amendments to the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2000 later this year.

European Year of People with Disabilities 2003

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to support the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003.

Ms Margaret Curran: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-29089 on 20 September 2002. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Fireworks

Shona Robison (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the remit of the independent task group reviewing the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 covers the licensing of vendors of fireworks.

Mr Andy Kerr: No. The sale and supply of fireworks is a consumer protection matter and therefore reserved. The Department of Trade and Industry is currently considering what action can be taken within the existing legislation to address problems with fireworks. A COSLA Fireworks Task Group is also looking at this issue.

Fireworks

Shona Robison (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the independent task group reviewing the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 intends to look at the vendors of fireworks.

Mr Andy Kerr: No. General policy on the sale of fireworks is reserved to the Department of Trade and Industry. The Department of Trade and Industry are currently undertaking a review of the legislation and my officials are liaising closely with them on this. Additionally, I am also aware that COSLA have set up a Fireworks Task Group and we will consider their findings, once published, in order to determine what if any action can be taken by Scottish ministers.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease

George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what its arrangements are for receiving veterinary support and advice.

Ross Finnie: In the light of experiences of the 2001 foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, the inquiry reports, and restructuring within Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs altering the responsibilities of the UK CVO, it has been decided to create a new Chief Veterinary Officer (Scotland) post. This is a redesignation of the current Assistant Chief Veterinary Officer post and will more fully reflect the postholder's range and depth of responsibilities. He will continue to be a senior manager within the GB State Veterinary Service (SVS) and will be responsible for leading the SVS in Scotland and providing Scottish ministers with independent veterinary advice. This will support our commitment to protecting the health and welfare of Scotland's valuable livestock industry.

Gaelic

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the First Minister what support the Scottish Executive will give to the development of Gaelic-medium schools.

Mr Jack McConnell: We are providing specific grants towards the costs of Gaelic-medium education, supporting 1,860 pupils in 59 primary schools across the length and breadth of Scotland.

Health

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how the NHS will cope with long-term population change.

Malcolm Chisholm: The NHS in Scotland will take into account population change as part of its strategic planning at NHS board level. This planning will be undertaken in the light of the assessed current and future needs of the local population.

Health

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to ensure that there are adequate transport links to the new accident and emergency departments proposed under the acute services review in Glasgow.

Mr Frank McAveety: During September and October of 2001, Greater Glasgow NHS Board carried out a survey of attendances at adult accident and emergency units. The data collected over that period indicated that the number of patients who used public transport to attend accident and emergency units was less than one in 10 patients.

  It is, however, of paramount importance that all current transport systems and travelling patterns are fully analysed against the new acute services configuration proposals to identify and address any mismatches. This will be essential in underpinning the plans in their entirety.

  As I said during the parliamentary debate on 12 September, the NHS board has commissioned work to assess the broader transport implications of its future acute services configuration for staff, patients and visitors. The results of that work will be available later this month. I expect the NHS board to fully involve local communities in any changes to transport arrangements.

Health

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to provide more cognitive therapists.

Malcolm Chisholm: A number of individuals from a variety of clinical backgrounds and who have undertaken appropriate postgraduate training in cognitive therapy may use the title of cognitive therapist.

  We have recently launched Working for Health, the Workforce Development Action Plan for NHSScotland, which has set a critical path for creating a robust development function integrating workforce planning and service planning across all services in NHSScotland, including those providing psychological treatment through cognitive behaviour therapy.

Health and Safety

Fiona McLeod (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers and officials have met the Health and Safety Commission since May 1999; what issues were discussed at any such meetings; what the results of any such meetings have been; what future meetings have been arranged, and what issues are to be discussed at these meetings.

Iain Gray: The then Minister for Health and Community Care participated in the Scottish launch of the Health and Safety Commission's (HSC) Securing Health Together strategy. The Scottish Executive's Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Public Health is a member of the partnership board, which is taking forward the strategy. The Chair of HSC chairs the board.

  The Scottish Executive has agreed a concordat with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the body which advises HSC on health and safety policy and is its operational arm. Scottish Executive officials are in regular contact with HSE officials on a wide range of issues.

Historic Scotland

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to what buildings Historic Scotland has allowed the public access free of charge during Doors Open Day in each of the last three years.

Dr Elaine Murray: The following Historic Scotland sites have been opened free of charge in the last three years under the Doors Open Days initiative:

  


2002 
  

St Triduana's Chapel, Edinburgh 
  



Corstorphine Dovecot, Edinburgh 
  



Kinneil House, Bo’ness 
  



Holyrood Education Centre, Edinburgh 
  



Balvaird Castle, Fife 
  



Claypotts Castle, Dundee 
  



Clackmannan Tower, Clackmannan 
  



2001 
  

St Triduana's Chapel, Edinburgh 
  



Corstorphine Dovecot, Edinburgh 
  



Kinneil House, Bo’ness 
  



Preston Mercat Cross, Prestonpans 
  



Glasgow Cathedral 
  



Trinity House, Edinburgh 
  



Balvaird Castle, Fife 
  



Claypotts Castle, Dundee 
  



Sunnybrae Cottage, Pitlochry 
  



2000 
  

St Triduana's Chapel, Edinburgh 
  



Corstorphine Dovecot, Edinburgh 
  



Kinneil House, Bo’ness 
  



Preston Mercat Cross, Prestonpans 
  



Greenknowe Tower, Gordon 
  



St Bride's Church, Douglas 
  



Croft-an-Righ, Edinburgh 
  



Balvaird Castle, Fife 
  



Claypotts Castle, Dundee 
  



  Other manned and unmanned properties were open in accordance with Historic Scotland published opening times and entrance fees.

Housing

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what concerns it has regarding delay in the transfer of Scottish Borders Council housing stock.

Hugh Henry: The transfer of the Scottish Borders housing stock to Scottish Borders Housing Association is progressing. The independent valuation required to be updated to reflect the basis of the sale e.g. intervening right to buy sales, rent increases and capital investment undertaken by the council. This work has been completed and Scottish Borders Housing Association is in the process of updating its business plan which is now due for submission by 31 October. The formal consent of ministers’ should be available thereafter, allowing the transfer to complete by the end of the year. All parties remain fully committed to concluding this complex process as soon as possible in order that the significant commitments to tenants can be actioned.

Housing

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a decent homes standard.

Ms Margaret Curran: Improving the quality of the housing stock in Scotland is a key priority for the Scottish Executive. The Housing Improvement Task Force is giving consideration to possible ways in which the quality of the Scottish housing stock might be assessed and we will take account of this work when considering how best to measure progress in this area.

Junior Doctors

John Scott (Ayr) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the number of junior doctors joining the NHS.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive is taking a number of steps to increase the number of junior doctors.

  The total Specialist Registrar establishment was increased by 100 in 2001, a rise of 9%, with many of the increases being in the specialties with the highest levels of vacancies. Additional funding for a further targeted increase of 375 junior doctors was announced on 2 April 2001, for the period to 2004.

  The great majority of junior doctors in Scotland start as medical students in Scotland. The Executive has commissioned Sir Kenneth Calman to undertake a review of basic medical education in response to recommendations contained in Future Practice, Professor John Temple’s report of his review of the Scottish medical workforce.

  Other measures include a review of medical careers, which will be undertaken by Professor John Temple as part of a co-ordinated national approach to NHS and health careers that promotes and attracts professionals to work in Scotland.

Justice

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive who independently assesses the applications for standard compensation following the quashing of criminal convictions.

Mr Jim Wallace: It is for Scottish ministers to determine whether a case merits an award of compensation under the provisions set out in section 133 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 or under the ex gratia scheme. Once that decision has been taken, an independent assessor is appointed to determine the quantum of compensation to be paid.

Justice

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the intended time scale is between the award of an interim payment and the completion of final payment for standard compensation following the quashing of criminal convictions.

Mr Jim Wallace: There is no established time scale for the period between the award of an interim payment and the final settlement of a case, during which time more than one interim payment may be made. A variety of factors are taken into account when the quantum of compensation is assessed. The time between making an interim award and concluding a claim can vary from case to case, depending on individual circumstances.

Livestock

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what work it is carrying out to ascertain the economic impact on various different types of farms and, in particular, on hill and upland farms of the temporary 20-day standstill rule on livestock movements.

Ross Finnie: A comprehensive cost benefit analysis of the post-foot-and-mouth disease 20-day standstill arrangements is being commissioned. The analysis will take account of the differences in the livestock industry in the various parts of Great Britain, including the stratified nature of livestock production in Scotland.

Livestock

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made an assessment of any financial benefit the current exemption from the 20-day standstill regulations has brought to the islands.

Ross Finnie: Scottish Islands must comply with the general requirements of the 20-day standstill arrangements but livestock from the Northern Isles and the Western Isles Council area are allowed to be moved to a mainland market within 20 days of being at a market on the islands.

  This exemption was introduced only recently and it would be very difficult to assess its financial impact at this stage.

Livestock

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the basis is for continuing with the 20-day standstill rule for livestock movements and whether it has any plans to review the position.

Ross Finnie: The 20-day standstill movement is an important element of the Scottish Executive's animal disease control strategy. If there were to be a further outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease or another infectious disease the 20-day standstill would greatly reduce the risk of disease spread and increase the chance of the disease being identified before animals from the infected farm were moved to other farms or markets.

  The present 20-day movement restriction will be reviewed once a detailed cost benefit analysis into its impact on the industry has been completed.

Livestock

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide statistics on cattle movements, by category, into and out of Scotland over the last six months and whether it can provide details of the amount of carcass meat, including primals, being brought into Scotland and what the eventual market is for such meat.

Ross Finnie: The statistics on cattle movements cannot be produced for the reply deadline but will be sent to the member in due course and a copy placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 24521). The information relating to carcass meat is not available.

Planning

Ms Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will issue updated planning advice on open space.

Hugh Henry: A Planning Advice Note on planning and open space will be published shortly.

Prison Service

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-28699 by Mr Jim Wallace on 24 September 2002, what information is provided to the Scottish Prison Service by Medacs at (a) individual health centre level and (b) the regular meetings of the national Medical Services Contract Monitoring Group.

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-28700 by Mr Jim Wallace on 24 September 2002, what evidence it receives of compliance with  Standards of Health Care of Prisoners by the private contractors for medical services in prisons.

Mr Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  Information and evidence provided relates to the agreed key performance indicators contained in the contract between SPS and Medacs Forensic Services. I refer the member to the answer to question S1W-28224 on 2 September 2002. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Prison Service

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-26897 by Mr Jim Wallace on 3 July 2002, when it plans to make a further assessment of compliance with Standards of Health Care of Prisoners in prisons operated by the Scottish Prison Service.

Mr Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  A further assessment will be undertaken 12 months after the revised standards are introduced.

Prison Service

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-26897 by Mr Jim Wallace on 3 July 2002, who the external adviser is engaged by the Scottish Prison Service to consider how development of Standards of Health Care for Prisoners may be taken forward.

Mr Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The external adviser engaged was the Nursing Adviser to HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland.

Prison Service

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-26897 by Mr Jim Wallace on 3 July 2002, when work on revision of the Scottish Prison Service’s Standards of Health Care for Prisoners  will be completed and whether the revised version of the standards will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Mr Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS has recently been in contact with the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland to identify how our standards could be improved. We are currently in the process of commissioning this piece of work. It is hoped that the revision of our standards will be completed by March 2003. I will arrange for the revised version to be placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre.

Prison Service

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-26897 by Mr Jim Wallace on 3 July 2002, whether any assessment has been made of targets 1.1.5, 1.1.7, 1.1.10, 1.2.1, 1.3.1, 2.2.2, 2.4.1, 3.4.1, 4.0.2, 5.1.2, 5.1.8, 5.2.7, 5.2.10, 5.3.2, 5.4.1, 5.4.2, 5.5.3, 7.1.4, 7.1.7, 7.1.11, 7.2.1, 7.4.1, 7.5.3, 8.1.2, 8.2.1, 8.4.4, 8.7.5 and 9.2.3 in Standards of Health Care for Prisoners.

Mr Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  No service-wide assessment has been undertaken.

Rail Network

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive who is funding current studies on upgrading and improving Edinburgh Waverley Station; in particular, what funding it has made available to the studies and what the reasons are for its position on this matter, and what the cost is of the studies.

Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive announced on 20 May 2002 that we would make up to £1 million available to fund development work at Waverley Station. This is to fund technical investigation work that has to be undertaken to assess site conditions. This work will help inform the final design of the station and determine the necessary funding required to develop it. Initial costs of this preliminary work have been estimated at £758,000 for financial year 2002-03. Further detailed costings are being prepared.

Rail Network

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what directions and guidance it has issued regarding any necessary repairs to the east coast main line; to whom any such directions and guidance were issued; what the optimum date is for carrying out and completing such repairs; what assessment it has made of any consequential increase in trucks on roads, and on what roads any such increase is anticipated.

Lewis Macdonald: The maintenance, replacement and repair of track and signalling equipment, whether routine or unscheduled, is an operational matter for Railtrack. The Scottish Executive has no direct locus or powers to intervene, but we are in regular contact with Railtrack on these and other issues.

Recycling

Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-28581 by Ross Finnie on 18 September 2002, which local authorities have collection facilities for plastic collection.

Ross Finnie: Information on the 12 local authorities which had plastics collections in 2001 is available in the RECOUP report, Providing a comprehensive overview of plastic bottle recycling in the UK - 2002 . The report is available on RECOUP's website, http://www.recoup.org/.

  In addition, a pilot plastic bottle recycling service was recently introduced in Edinburgh City Council. This provides recycling banks at 12 sites around the city, with the aim of gathering 50 tonnes of plastic over the next year.

Schools

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact of PPP and PFI schemes on the level of appropriate community access to school buildings.

Cathy Jamieson: Although the Scottish Schools Standard PPP contract contains provisions for community use of school facilities, it is for individual local authorities to consider the provision of appropriate levels of community access in the light of local circumstances.

Scottish Executive Policy

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any aspect of its policies has been amended as a result of representations made by any member of the Royal Family since May 1999.

Mr Jim Wallace: Scottish Executive ministers exchange correspondence with members of the Royal Family from time to time on a range of matters. All such correspondence is treated as private and confidential.

Scottish Transport Group Pension Schemes

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of the decision of the Inland Revenue not to give a tax concession that would allow ex-gratia payments in respect of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes to be made as tax-free lump sum payments, what action it will now take in the interests of the scheme members, given that the Inland Revenue has allowed tax-free lump sum payments to members of the National Bus Company pension scheme.

Lewis Macdonald: We have made representations to Treasury Ministers. The matter now lies with them and I understand that Scottish Members of Parliament are pursuing these matters on behalf of their constituents.

Shipping

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will undertake a survey of shipping and, in particular, associated employment, traffic flows, investment, cluster effect and strategy and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive recognises the importance of shipping for the Scottish economy and welcomes the development of the shipping sector in Scotland. The Executive also maintains regular contact with the United Kingdom Government on a wide range of issues including shipping policy, which is a reserved matter. The Executive has no plans to undertake a survey of shipping.

Social Work

Marilyn Livingstone (Kirkcaldy) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to promote British Sign Language (BSL) and to encourage its use, particularly within the social work services.

Ms Margaret Curran: In 2000, the Executive established the British Sign Language and Linguistics Access Working Group to assist the development of policy around BSL and related linguistic access issues.

  In March this year, good practice guidelines for public authorities were published by the Scottish Translation Interpreting and Communication Forum. The guidelines consider BSL as well as other community language issues. The Executive is funding a development worker, based in the Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreters and managed by the forum, to take this work forward. The Executive is actively encouraging sign language training and interpreting through funding of voluntary organisations under section 9 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968.

Sport

Mr Tom McCabe (Hamilton South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in encouraging sporting excellence.

Elaine Murray: The establishment of the Scottish Institute of Sport is a key achievement among a range of initiatives and programmes designed to help our top and emerging athletes compete successfully on the world stage. The Scottish Institute and the network of Area Institutes will ensure that our talented athletes have the top quality coaching and other services and support they need to fulfil their potential. The Talented Athlete and Junior Groups Programmes run by  sportscotland and the World Class Performance Programme run by UK Sport are also key parts of the support arrangements.

  The current review of Sport 21, the development of sportscotland’s next four-year lottery strategy and the review of all sportscotland’s Exchequer and lottery programmes (following its internal reorganisation) will all contribute to our general aim of encouraging the achievement of sporting excellence.

Sustainable Scotland

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Cabinet Sub-committee on Sustainable Scotland last met and what matters were discussed.

Ross Finnie: The Cabinet Sub-Committee on Sustainable Scotland last met on 2 October, when it discussed the Spending Review and sustainable development; the recent Johannesburg World Summit; the sub-committee’s annual report to Cabinet, and progress on a number of other issues of interest to the work of the committee.

Tourism

Alex Johnstone (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-27301 by Mike Watson on 30 July 2002, what progress has been made in researching the product and service expectations of actual and prospective genealogy tourists.

Mike Watson: On 18 September, Dr Richard Simpson, Deputy Minister for Justice, launched a new website www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk. This has been developed by the General Register Office for Scotland, and will compliment VisitScotland’s existing site, which links genealogy with a motivation to travel. In addition, VisitScotland will shortly be launching www.ancestralscotland.com in both Auckland and Sydney, and will be working in partnership with the British Tourist Association on their upcoming Destination Britain campaign in Australia and New Zealand.

  VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are also working together to develop Scottish genealogy tourism. A current research project will focus on the development of networks and commercial opportunities within this niche sector. This will include the identification and evaluation of the needs and expectations of actual and prospective genealogy tourists and it will report in mid-2003.

Training

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what training opportunities and funding it makes available to graduates for reskilling and how any such opportunities and funding are administered.

Iain Gray: The funding available to graduates to undertake further training will depend upon a number of factors including the level of qualification sought, the mode of study and the personal circumstances of the graduate.

Training

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive at what Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework levels funded placements are available to long-term unemployed (a) graduates and (b) non-graduates.

Iain Gray: Learning and training opportunities are available to unemployed graduates and non-graduates up to level 11 of the SCQF framework as part of the Scottish Executive’s Training for Work (TfW) programme and part-time further education courses. Some New Deal programmes offer education and training up to SCQF Level 6. Outwith the SCQF, work experience placements with employers are available to graduates and non-graduates under both Local Enterprise Company and New Deal programmes.

Training

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what IT courses it provides to assist the long- and short-term unemployed to retrain and reskill for the current jobs market.

Iain Gray: The Training for Work (TfW) programme offers a wide range of Information Technology (IT) training courses to unemployed adults. Details of the full range and level of courses available across Scotland is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. IT training is also available to the unemployed through part-time further education courses and community-based projects.

  The New Deal also provides IT training for clients and planning is under way for a pilot, in Scotland, of the Ambition:IT project to offer IT technician level training to unemployed people.

Voluntary Organisations

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is providing to voluntary organisations working with survivors of heart disease and strokes.

Mr Frank McAveety: We welcome the contribution voluntary bodies make to coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke care, especially rehabilitation. We are directly supporting two projects, one in the Borders, the other in Forth Valley. Strengthening the role of patients in service planning is central to our CHD and Stroke Strategy which we launched last week.

Waterways

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will give to British Waterways’ future activities in Scotland.

Lewis Macdonald: A close liaison between the Executive and British Waterways Scotland will continue to be maintained as regards the upkeep and development of Scotland’s canals.

  The Scottish budget for the period April 2003 to March 2006 includes the provision of £33 million to British Waterways for this three-year period. This represents an increase in deficit grant of 23%.

Waterways

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the value of canals and waterways to the economy.

Lewis Macdonald: It is estimated that the Scottish canal network currently supports over 1,000 jobs in the leisure, recreation and tourism sectors. The Caledonian Canal contributes 14% of the tourist spend in the Great Glen.

  The value of canals to the Scottish economy is expected to increase significantly in the coming years as the regeneration and development opportunities offered by the Millennium Link are realised.

Waterways

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to promote canals and waterways as tourist attractions.

Lewis Macdonald: Promoting Scotland's canals as tourist attractions is undertaken mainly by British Waterways, VisitScotland and Sail Scotland.

  We published our canals policy document Scotland's Canals: an asset for the future today. One of its chief aims is to increase the profile of our canals for tourism and other purposes.

Waterways

John Scott (Ayr) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when the policy paper on canals and waterways will be published.

Lewis Macdonald: Our policy paper Scotland's Canals: an asset for the future is being published today.

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Holyrood Project

Mr David Davidson (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Presiding Officer what the projected budget will be for the opening ceremony of the Parliament building.

Sir David Steel: The SPCB has appointed a working group, which includes representatives of the four main parties, to make recommendations for opening both the new session of Parliament and the Holyrood complex. A maximum budget of £400,000 has been allocated, but the actual cost will depend on decisions made on the basis of those recommendations and the full allocation will not necessarily be required.

Holyrood Project

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-29130 on 24 September 2002, whether he will now provide the information requested on how much in total has been incurred in respect of legal advice on contractual and other issues in connection with Flour City Architectural (Metals) UK Ltd, including those involved in examining and preparing the case for action under the parent company guarantee, and details of the invoices issued and the dates when they were paid and those that remain outstanding

Sir David Steel: The amount of legal fees incurred to date, relating to contractual and other issues concerning the Flour City trade contract, amounts to £26,124.24 including VAT. The invoice details requested were provided to the member in my letter to him of 3 October, a copy of which will be made available to other members in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Holyrood Project

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer what the reasons are for the additional cost of the works packages let as part of the Holyrood Project and set out in Annex A to the quarterly report on the Parliament Building Project to be considered at the Finance Committee on 8 October 2002 and, in particular, how much of the additional cost for each package is attributable, or estimated as being attributable, to (a) blast resistance requirements and (b) other reasons, detailing in full what the reasons are for the additional costs in each case.

Sir David Steel: As reported to the Finance Committee on 8 October 2002, the Holyrood Project Team are currently in the process of compiling a more detailed estimate of the additional costs associated with the blast resistance requirements for the new building. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that the results of this exercise will be made available in due course.

Holyrood Project

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer whether any pre-tender questionnaire was completed by Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Limited before the award of the contract for cladding in the MSP block at the new Parliament building; if so, what information it disclosed in relation to work which it had completed; whether any references were obtained from the companies by whom Flour City had been instructed to carry out work, as disclosed in any such pre-tender questionnaire, and what the reasons are for the position on this matter.

Sir David Steel: As a prerequisite to the tender process all potential contractors are required to complete a pre-tender questionnaire. Flour City were no exception and relevant references were obtained. The information contained in the pre-tender questionnaire cannot be disclosed for reasons of commercial confidentiality.

Parliament

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer what steps are being taken to provide induction training for new members of staff employed by MSPs.

Sir David Steel: As employers in their own right, the Members of the Scottish Parliament are responsible for the training and development of their staff. The SPCB is, however, committed to providing basic induction training for MSP staff, particularly as this relates to the use of services supplied by the SPCB. Two such training courses were run this year in response to requests from members. The take-up for these was, however, disappointing and, consequently, there are no plans to run further courses until after the 2003 elections.

Parliament

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer whether there are any plans to introduce a one-stop-shop for new members of staff employed by MSPs that allows for all relevant paperwork to be completed in one process rather than separately filling in different forms for, for example, security passes.

Sir David Steel: This matter has already been identified by the SPCB as requiring attention. The SPCB is considering ways, in time for the next Parliament, of streamlining the paperwork associated with granting access to parliamentary services for new MSP staff.